The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Penthouse Serenade

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 31, 2013 is “Penthouse Serenade.”

About This Song

“Penthouse Serenade” was written in 1931 by Will Jason and Val Burton. It is one the classic Depression-era songs with the yearning for the glamorous Manhattan apartment by the poor, yet romantic, couple. The first known use of “Penthouse Serenade” was for the 1933 animated short Betty Boop’s Penthouse, where it was sung by Mae Questel. In addition to Tony Bennett’s recording, Nat King Cole recorded it in 1952 as a piano solo for an album of the same name.

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About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Penthouse Serenade” in 1959 for his album Hometown, My Town. It is really wonderful with a brilliant arrangement by Ralph Burns.

http://open.spotify.com/track/4fqH8vY5L35o48z2H5RAHm
“Penthouse Serenade,” as well as the album Hometown, My Town, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Skyscraper Blues

The song of the day for Sunday, November 3, 2013 is “The Skyscraper Blues.”

About This Song

“The Skyscraper Blues” was written by Gordon Jenkins and Tom Adair for the 1949 Broadway musical Along Fifth Avenue, which featured Nancy Walker and Jackie Gleason.

About This Version

On this day in 1958, Tony Bennett recorded two songs for an upcoming album to be called Hometown, My Town. These songs were today’s song, “The Skyscraper Blues” and “By Myself.” Click the link to read more about the session held November 3, 1958.

Like the rest of the songs on the album, “The Skyscraper Blues” was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns. Ralph Sharon, who had joined up with Tony Bennett in 1957 played piano. Many of the musicians on this album recorded regularly with Bennett for years to come, such as Al Caiola (guitar), Urbie Green (trombone) and Al De Risi (trumpet).

This is a great jazzy song with a terrific arrangement. It’s the first song on the album and is a dynamite way to start it off.

http://open.spotify.com/track/3MTlQdavGudt8PCqornYQu
“The Skyscraper Blues,” as well as the album Hometown, My Town, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Love Is Here To Stay

The song of the day for Thursday, July 25, 2013 is “Love Is Here To Stay.”

About This Song

“Love Is Here To Stay” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1938 musical film The Goldwyn Follies, which was released shortly after George Gershwin’s death in July, 1937. It was the last song that George Gershwin composed. The song is a jazz and popular standard and has been recorded by singers from Nat King Cole to Ella Fitzgerald to Billie Holiday to Eric Clapton. The song ranks #57 on the jazz standards website.

About This Version

Today’s version is from Tony Bennett’s wonderful 1959 album Hometown, My Town. This is a remarkable album and if you don’t have it in your collection, I urge you to consider getting it; it’s $4.99 at iTunes and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

http://open.spotify.com/track/2EnIxktTOZc3kAPZ3fte40
“Love is Here To Stay,” as well as the full remastered album Hometown, My Town, is available from iTunes.